'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." On July 4, 1776, in these and other stirring words from the Declaration of Independence, the thirteen American Colonies declared their independence from England. Unalienable, or inalienable, means "incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred," and it's interesting that the pursuit of happiness is included with such basic concepts as life and liberty.
A dictionary defines happiness as "a state of well-being characterized by relative permanence, by dominantly agreeable emotion ranging in value from mere contentment to deep and intense joy in living . . . ." How do we attain a permanent feeling of well-being, a "deep and intense joy in living"? These words of Mary Baker Eddy's in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, point the way: "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love." Science and Health, p. 57. Her words plainly tell us that the source of real happiness is God. As we more clearly understand happiness to be spiritual, originating in divine Spirit, not in a material condition or circumstance, we increasingly feel genuine well-being and joy.
How, then, do we pursue real happiness? Isn't our need to understand God better, to learn more about His perfect nature, His goodness and power, and of our relation to Him as His offspring? God continuously, eternally, pours out abundant good to His children. Expectantly looking to Him as the primary, the only, source of true peace and well-being brings lasting happiness, regardless of what our experiences may be.
